Voting-machine.



Patented my x, i902.

2 Sheets-Sheet I.

Norow, D. c,

C. F. HARRINGTUN.

VOTING MACHINE.

(Application filed Mar. 10, 1902.)

(No Modei.)

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VOTING MACHINE.

(Application filed Mar, 10A 1902.)

2 Sheets Sheet 2 (No Model.)

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UNITED STATES [PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES F. 'HARRINGTON, OF LYNDHURST, NEXV JERSEY.

VOTING-MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No.. 703,787, dated July 1, 1902.

Application filed March l0, 1902. Serial No. 97,393. (No modem To nel?, zu17/mm, if; 77mg/ crm/067171,:

Be it known that I, CHARLES F. HAEEING- TON, a citizen of the United States, residing in Lyndhurst, in the county of Bergen and State of New Jersey, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Voting-Machines, of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates to mechanism by which the selection of candidates by the Voters in an election is registered.

The object of the invention is to provide a machine fulfilling the usual requirements of the election laws and also simple in construetion and operation, easily installed and removed from the voting place, and in which the complex and delicate mechanical devices common to apparatus of this class are replaced by strong positively-acting mechanismv not liable to derangement.

l employ a party-dial bearing the names or symbols of the several party-tickets to be voted and a series of smaller dials, one forl each office, bearing the names of the several candidates for such office, the names being arranged on each oflce-dial in the same order in regard to party as on the party-dial.

`Each office-dial carries a registering device for each name thereon. A movable pointer or index-finger on the party-dial may be Inoved to coincide with the name or symbol of either desired party-ticket by a single lever, and through connecting` mechanism between the lever and office-dials all the latter, with their registering devices, are simultaneously turned into such relation with a register-operating` mechanism that asubsequent operation will register a vote for each of the party candidates selected for the several `ofces. ing votes for candidates for different offices on different tickets and for registering votesVV for independent candidates for any or all the offices represented.

The means for unlocking the mechanism to alloW a voter to make his selection and again locking it in the' desired position is operated by the same single lever. The operation of again unlocking land returning the machine to the original or unset condition ready for a succeeding Voter is effected by the mechankcording independent votes.

Means are also provided for register' ism through which the vote is registered and is preferably performed by an election officer, from whom the dials are concealed.

Provisions are made for insuring secrecy, both as to the choice by the voter and to the number of votes registered for the several candidates during the election, and for easily and quickly ascertaining the number of votes for each candidate When the count is to be made.

The invention also consists in certain details of construction and arrangements of parts, to be hereinafter described,

The accompanying drawings form a part of this specification and show a preferred form of the invention.

Figure lis a side elevation showing the election-booth and inclosed voting-machine, and Fig. 2 is a corresponding plan View. Fig. 3 is a plan vie\v,on a larger scale,of. the upper portion of the machine alone,certain portions being broken away to show the parts beneath. Fig. l is a corresponding transverse section taken on the line et a in Fig. Fig. 5 is a plan view of certain parts alone on a reduced scale. The remaining figures are on a larger scale. Fig. u is a vertical section through one of the office-dials and adjacent fixed portions, showing certain details of the Inechanism for re- Fig. 7 is a corresponding elevation. Fig. S is an elevation of one of the ofce-dials and its connected parts. Fig. 9 is a face View of a carrier adapted to receive the name of an independent candidate to be voted for.

Similar letters of reference indicate the same parts in all the iigures.

Referring more especially to Figs. 3 and ,A is a fixed base-plate, preferably circular in form, supporting in a suitable boss a central IOO which the radially-arranged names on the oftice-dial are the party candidates. The nam es are preferably equally spaced, leaving one space blank for independent candidates for the office whose names are not on party-tickets. At the lower end of each sleeve is aradially-extending finger C, arranged to be struck by a pin CT on the pinion C, and thus forced to turn with the latter in one direction, held normally in contact with the pin by the torsional force of a helical spring Csurro unding the lower portion of the sleeve and attached at one end to the platform C3 and at the other to the pin C7. It will be observed that the movement of the pinion in one direction carrieswith it the sleeve and its attach-l ments while allowing the sleeve to be turned independently in the same direction by force applied to the button C5 in opposition to the force of the spring.

The central shaft B is bifurcated at the upper end and receives between the members thus formed a lever D, pivoted at d in a cylindrical cap D, inclosing the upper end of the shaft,and having a slot or opening d, through which the handle of the leverD projects. The cap is also provided with an index-finger or pointer D2, lying near the face of a fixed horizontal plate or party-dial E, on which are the names, numbers, or other symbols indicating the several party-tickets to be voted. Below the cap and inclosing the shaft B is a sleeve F, carrying` an upper circumferential disk or locking-plate F and a lower flange or striking-plate F2. The sleeve is divided between the flanges by a slip-joint at Fil, serving to allow the locking-plate and strikingplate to be raised and lowered relatively to each other while still maintaining revolving engagement. The upper end ot' the sleeve is inelosed in the lower end of the cap and is provided with an annulargroovef, receiving the ends of the screws D3, inserted through the lower portion of the cap and serving to join the locking-plate F to the cap D, while allowing the latter to bc revolved relatively to the former.

The locking-plate is provided with a marginal lip F4, having properly-spaced notches 5o f', receiving radial locking-bars G, pivoted upon the upper face of the locking'plate in studs G' and extending radially outward a sufficient distance to lap upon the notched margins of the office-dials.

An annular groove near the margin of the base-plate receives the lower edge of a cylindrical casing A, which is similarly fitted in a groove on the under face of a ring A2, having a series of equally-spaced circular openings, in which appear and are guided the series of office-dials C4, and also provided on its inner margin with a vertical lip or flange A3, having notches as, serving` to receive and guide the locking-bars G. The lip AS also serves to support the party-dialE, removably Secured thereto by the staples AV1 and locks ver AV or by other suitable locking means. The ring A2 and base-plate A are held together and to the casing A by bolts extending` vertically between them, as shown.

Each office-dial CL has an upturned marginal flange C, with a notch ci in line with each radially-arranged name and independent space and one intermediate notch om, each adapted to receive the outer end of the locking-bar G for such dial and resting normally in the intermediate notch ew.

The registering devices I, which may be each an ordinary counter having numbered disks arranged side by side in a casing and operated by a downward movement of the lever J therefor, are arranged on the platfforms Ci", one counter for each candidate excepting the blank or independent, with their levers J extending outward and adapted each to be depressed by one of the arms F5 on the striking-plate when properly presented thereto and the striking-plate lowered to register a vote. The latter movement is induced by a short connecting-rod L2, pivoted at one end to the under face of the striking-plate and at the other to a crank L on a shaft L, extending across the annular casing A nearly diametrieally and having on the projecting outer end a hand-crank L3, by which the shaft may be turned. One complete revolution of the shaft draws down the striking-plate lw with its arms FZregisters the choice of a voter for all the candidates selected, and is intended to be performed by a member of the election board or other properly-qualified officer. The shaft is preferably provided with a counter (indicated at Ll in Fig. l) and with a bell. L or other alarm serving to record the number of voters who have had access tothe machine and to indicate to the voter that the vote has been duly registered. Any suitable device (not shown) may be added to prevent turning the shaft in the reverse direction.

P is a horizontally-swinging lever supported on a stud set in the base-plate A in the space between two adjacent pinions C' and the gear-wheel B. It has a lug l arranged opposite to an offset L7 on the shaft L and has a curved free end adapted to strike and act camwise on a pin B2, setin the gear-wheel S. The purpose of the lever I is to return the gear wheel, and consequently all the parts, to a normal or unset condition, which is effected by the turning of the shaft L to register a vote. The offset stands normally as shown in Fig. 5, in which position the movement of the lug P, due to the swing of the lever, is allowed without resistance; but on turning the shaft L the offset strikes the lug wherever it may find it, and a complete revolution forces the lever always to the position shown in the figure, the curved end correspondingly moving` the gear-wheel by the wiping action on the pin B2.

The registry of the votes for party-candidates is shown on the registering deviceJ for IIO ISO

roar/er "each of such candidates, as above stated. The mechanism for registering the votes for independent candidates is actuated by the same movements. Opposite the word ludependent77 on each office-dial and on the under face thereof is a groove c4, provided with a hinged floor or trap K, pivoted at 7a near the junction of the sleeve C2 with the dial and having an arm K', from which extends a link K2, attached to the upwardly-projecting arm Kof a bell-crank leverpivoted on the platform C3 and having an outwardly-projecting arm K11', arranged to be struck by one of the arms F5 in its descent when properly presented thereto. The arm KLL is held in the elevated position by the action of a contractile spring K, extending between the lug K5 on the bellcrank lever Aand the platform. A slot or opening a. in the casing A', adjacent to each offlee-dial, affords access to the groove cL when properly positioned and allows the voter to deposit upon the ltrap K a ballot preferably inclosed in a suitable frame or carrier N, having dimensions corresponding to the dimensions of the groove to prevent the insertion of but one, which when thus deposited and the trap K depressed by the action of one of the arms F5 on the arm KAVL falls by gravity into a chute KT, leading on the interior of the casing to a locked drawer M beneath the base-plate A or to any suitable receptacle conveniently placed. There is one drawer M for each office-dial, so that all the independent ballots for the office indicated by that dial are received in a separate drawer for that office.

The entire mechanism is supported on a suitable pedestal AG to present the party and office dials and lever D and pointer D3 at a convenient height forinspect-ion and manipulation. Ihave shown in Figs. l and 2 a preferred form of booth adapted to serve with this machine. It comprises a tubular upright R, secured to the iioor adjacent to the pedestal AG and to theupper part of the machine by passing through a vertical eye A'T on the annular casing A and held therein by the set-screw A3. A rod or tube S is arranged to slide telescopically in the upright and may be adjusted to any desired height and held by a screw R. The rod carries at its upper end a horizontal loop or hoop S of sufficient diameter to inclos'e the machine and the person desiring to vote and has a curtain S2 of closely-v woven fabric or other flexible and opaque material suspended from rings thereon. The curtain is fastened at one end to the loop and at the other to a hanging-rod S3, arranged to slide on the loop and afford access to the machine. A spring S4 serves to draw the margins of the curtain together when the hanging-rod is released,as will be understood.

T indicates a railing separating the booth Afrom the election officers and having in the space reserved for the latter the hand-crank L8, by which the selection of the voter .is registered. The counter L'l and bell L are shown as supported on this railing and operated by a finger L6 on the shaft.

In the drawings I have shown the machine arranged for five party-tickets and an Independent, as shown on the party-dial, and sixteen offices, indicated by the office-dials. The names on the party-dial are so spaced that the movement of the pointer to either will, through the gear B and pinions C', move the several office-dials to bring the notches c9 for all the candidates on that ticket into locking relation with the several lockingbars G. In the operation of voting with this apparatus the voter enters the booth, the curtain immediately closing behind him, presses down the lever D', which action raises the cap D and with it the locking-plate FQ and lifts all the bars G out of the intermediate notches cm and clear of the flanges C9 on all the office-dials. Thus conditioned the lever and pointer may be moved to the desired name or symbol on the fixed party-dial E- for example, to the point marked Pra This movement through the gear-wheel B and pinions C correspondingly partially revolves the several office-dials C4 and their connections to present the notches c" for the several Pra candidates immediately below the locking-bars, and if the voter desires to vote the full Pro. ticket he relaxes the pressure on the lever D' and allows the bars to descend and engage such notches. He then leaves the booth and notifies the election officer that the machineis set. The officer then makes one complete turn of the handlecrank L8 and shaft L, which, through the crank L and connecting-rod L2, draws down the striking-plate F3 and its arm F5, the latter contacting in their descent with the operating-arm of the counters J J for the several Pio candidates, which have beenproperly presented thereto by the act of setting the office-dials, and the vote is thus registered. The same revolution of the shaft L causes the elevation of the sleeve F sufficiently to again lift the locking-bars Gr from the notches c, and while thus elevated the offset L'T on 'the shaft L contacts with the lug P on the swinging lever P and forces the curved end of the latter against the pin B2, and thus turnsthe gear-wheel and pinions back to the original positions, and the locking bars again engage the intermediate notches cw, as before. The machine is then in the normal or unset position ready for a succeeding voter and is so conditioned that such voter cannot discover' the selections of his predecessor, and as in this condition there is no arm J or K4 in the path of the arms F5 a fraudulent or accidental turning of the hand-crank L3 produces no effect other than to wrongly increase by one the register of the number of persons who have entered the booth to vote, as indicated by the counter L".

If the voter desires to vote for one or more IOC) IIO

candidates on other tickets, he proceeds as above to set the machine for his preferred party-ticket and then lifts with his finger the locking-bar for the office-dial of the office for Which he desires to scratch or change the candidate and grasping With the other hand the button O5 turns that dial against the force of the spring C8 unt-il the desired name is under lthe locking-bar and engages the latter in the corresponding notch. The operation of registering this vote is the same as before, the spring C8 returning the changed office-dial to its original position as soon as the lockingbars are lifted.

ln voting for one or more independent candidates the operation is analogous to that just described, the desired office-dial being locked with the Ind notch engaged by the bar. The voter then Writes the name of the selected candidate upon a slip inclosed in a carriet-N, supplied by the election officers, and introduces it through the slot a in the casing upon the trap K. The subsequent descent of the arms F5 trips the trap and deposits the carrier in the drawer M for that office. By moving the pointer to the point marked Ind on the party-dial all the office-dials will be properly positioned to receive each a carrier N, as will be understood.

lf the voter desires to omit voting for one or more candidates, he may lock such dials with the locking-bars in the intermediate notches 010 and no register will be made for the offices represented by such dials.

To determine the results of the election, the locks A5 A5 are removed to release the partydial E, which may then be lifted off, With the cap D, locking-plate F', and its bars G, and the severalcounters J J are inspected through the glass plate H, supported on the flange A, as will be understood.

The operation of reading the several party votes may be facilitated by turning the gear- Wheelsuccessively into the same positions it occupies when set to register the several party Votes, thus presenting all the counting devices for the candidates of the parties successively in the most favorable position for inspection.

The independent vote is ascertained by unlocking the several drawers M and counting the ballots for each candidate Whose naine is found therein.

It Will be observed that the mechanism permits the voter to turn the pointer and oflice dials any number of times to as many different positions Without affecting the registering mechanisms, the latter acting only to register the finally-selected candidates, only one of which for each ofiice can possibly be voted; that the hand-crank must be turned to register the selections of the Voter and cannot be turned by the latter, and, as before stated, the hand-crank may be turned any number of times Without affecting the registering inechanism unless the machine has been set by a voter to register a selection, thus rendering wearer it impossible to register a vote Without the combined action of a voter and an election oflicer.

An important feature of the invention is the simplicity of operation, the manipulation of a single lever serving to set the machine to register a vote for either party-ticket selected.

The mechanism is eminently simple and free from liability to derangement, and all parts may be made as strong as found necessary to resist the strains to which machines of this class are subjected.

Modifications may be made within Wide limits Without departing from the principle of the invention. The sizes and proportions of the parts may be varied, and parts of the invention may be used Without the whole.

l. In a voting-machine, a series of ofticedials each mounted on an independent shaft, means for turning them in unison, and registering' mechanisms and. actuating means therefor adapted to be brought into operable relation by such movement.

2. In a voting-machine, a series of oflicedials each mounted on an independent shaft, each bearing names or other identifying sym bols of several candidates for that office, and registering mechanisms and their actuating means adapted to be brought into operable relation by the movement of said dials to properly present the names desired to bel voted.

3. In a voting-machine, a series of oflicedials each mounted on an independent shaft, means for turning them iu unison, a single lever for inducing such movement, and registering mechanisms for each dial and actuating means therefor adapted to be brought into operable relation by the movement of said lever.

4. In a voting-inachine,a series of ollicedials each bearing names or other identifying symbols of the several candidates for that office, a single lever and mechanism operated thereby for turning said dials in unison, locking devices operated by said lever, the latter serving to unlock said dials, turn them to the desired positions and lock them in such po sitions.

5. In a voting-machine, a series of ollicedials each mounted on an independent shaft,

each bearing the names or other identifying symbols of the several candidates for that oflice, means for turning said dials in unison, locking mechanism for said dials by which they may be held in the desired positions, and registering mechanisms and actuating means therefor adapted to register votes for candidates selected by such movement of said dials.

(5. In a voting-machine, a series of ofliccdials each mounted on an independent shaft, each bearing the names or other identifying symbols ofthe several candidates for the offico represented by such dial, means for mov- IOC IIO

ing such dials in unison, and means whereby each dial may be moved independently ofthe others, and registering' mechanisms and actuating means therefor adapted to be brought into operable relation by such movements.

7. In a voting-machine, a series of officedials each mounted on anindependent shaft, each bearing the names or other identifying symbols of the several candidates for the ofiice represented by such dial, registering mechanism and actuating means therefor for each of said names or symbols, and means carried by said dial for receiving ballots for independent candidates.

8. In avoting-machine, a series of oliicedials each bearing the names or other identifying symbols of the several candidates for the ofiice represented by such dial, a partydial bearing the names or symbols of the several parties presenting candidates, a registering mechanism for each candidate and actuating means therefor, a pointer for said party-dial, and mechanism connected With said pointer for moving the office-dials of said series in unison, whereby the registering mechanisms of all the candidates of any party Will be brought into operable relation with their actuating means when said pointer indicates such party.

9. In a voting-machine, a series of officedials each bearing the names or other identitying symbols of the several candidates for the office represented by such dial, a partydial bearing the names or symbols of the several parties presenting candidates, a registering mechanism for each candidate and actuating means therefor, a pointer for said party-dial, and mechanism connected with said pointer for moving the ofiicedials of said series in unison, whereby the registering mechanisms of all the candidates of any party Will be brought into operable relation With their actuatingmeans, and means for moving said office-dials independently of each other whereby votes may be registered for candidates of other parties or moved into such relation with the actuating means of said registering mechanisms as to omit registering.

l0. In a voting-machine, a series of officedials each bearing the names or other symbols of the several candidates for the oi'lice represented by such dial, means for moving said dials in unison or independently, registering devices moving With said dials, one for each candidate thereon, a striking-plate arranged to actuate said registering devices When the latter are properly presented thereto, and means for operating said strikingplate.

11. In a voting-machine, a series of oliicedials each bearing the names or other identifying symbols of the several candidates for the office represented by such dial, means carried by the latter for receiving a ballot i'or an independent candidate for such office, means for moving said office-dials in unison or independently, registering devices moving With said dials, one for each candidate thereon, means for depositing said ballot in a receptacle, a striking-plate arranged to actuate said registering devices and depositing mea-ns when properlypresented thereto, and means for operating said striking-plate.

l2. In a voting-machine, a series of oi'iicedials each bearing` the names or other identifying symbols of the several candidates for the office represented by such dial, means for moving said dials in unison or independently, locking means for holding said dials against such movement, means for unlocking all the dials of said series simultaneously, means for unlocking any of said dials independently, registering devices for the several candidates and actuating means for said registering` devices.

i3. In a voting-machine, a series of oliicedials, and means for moving them, registering devices moving with said dials, a striking-plate actuating said registering devices when the latter are properly presented thereto, locking means for holding said dials and registering devices in position to be acted upon by said striking-plate, and means for automatically releasing said dials by the operation ot' returning said dials to their original positions.

li. In a voting-machine, a series of oflicedials, means for moving said dials in unison, registering devices moving with said dials, actuating means for said devices, locking means for holding said dials and registering devices in the desired positions, and a single lever operating said locking means and moving said dials, whereby the operations of unlocking said dials, moving them to the desired positions and locking them therein are performed by said single lever.

l5. In a voting-machine, a series of officedials, means for moving said dials in unison, registering devices moving with said dials, actuating means for said devices, locking means for holding said dials and registering devices in the desired positions, and a single lever operating said locking means and moving said dials, whereby the operations of unlocking said dials, moving them to the desired positions andlocking them therein are performed by said single lever, and mechanism for operating said actuating means for said registering devices, adapted to automatically unlock said dials and return them tc their original positions.

16. In a voting-machine, the combination with a gear-Wheel and a series of pinions meshing therewith, of one or more registering devices arranged to move with each pinion, means for actuating said registering devices, and means for turning said wheel and thereby presenting the desired registcring dcvices to said actuating means.

17. In a voting-machine, the combination of a party-'dial bearing the names or symbols of the parties presenting candidates, a series IIO of office-dials each bearing the names or symbols of the candidates for such oflice, a shaft carrying a gear-wheel, a pointer moving with said shaft and adjacent to said party-dial, a series of pinions meshing with said gear-wheel each carrying one of said ofiice-dials, registering devices carried by the latter, one for each candidate thereon, and actuating means for operating such registering devices as are properly presented thereto, whereby a movement of said shaft in bringing said pointer to one'of said party names or symbols correspondingly turns said dials and their registering devices into operable relation with said actuating means.

18. In a voting-machine, the combination of a party-dial bearing the names or symbols of the parties presenting candidates, a series of office-dials each bearing the names or symbols of the candidates for such office, a shaft carrying a gear-wheel, a pointer moving with said shaft and adjacent to said party-dial, a lever for imparting motion to said shaft, a series of locking-bars engaging said officedials and adapted to lock and unlock the latter through connections from said lever, a series of pinions meshing with said gear-wheel and each carrying one of said oflice-dials, registering devices carried by the latter, one for each candidate thereon and an actuating means for operating such registering devices as are properly presented thereto, whereby the movements of said lever unlock said officedials, turn said pointer to the desired party and correspondingly turn said office-dials and their registering devices into operable relation with said actuating means, and lock the whole in such position.

19. In a voting-machine, a party-dial bearing the names or symbols of the parties presenting candidates, aseries of office-dials each bearing the names or symbols of the candidates for such olice, a shaft carrying a gear- Wheel, a pointer moving with said shaft and adjacent to said party-dial, a lever for imparting motion to said shaft', a series of locking-bars engaging said oiiice-dials and adapted to lock and unlock the latter through connections from said lever, a series of pinions meshing with said gear-wheel and each carrying one of said oflice-dials, registering devices carried by the latter, one for each can` didate thereon, and an actuating means for operating such registering devices as are properly presented thereto, whereby the movements of said lever unlock said oflice-dials, turn said pointer to the desired party and correspondingly turn said office-dials and their registering devices into operable relation with said actuating means, and lock the whole in such position, in combination with each other and with independent mechanism for operating said actuating means and automatically unlocking said office-dials and returning the whole to the original position:

20. In a voting-machine, the combination of the shaft B, gear-wheel B and pinions C meshing therewith, oflioe-dial C4 and platform C3 carried by each of said pinions, registering devices J J on said platforms, the strikingplate F2 and its arms F5 F5 adapted to operate such of said registering devices as are presented thereto by the turning of said gearwheel and pinions.

2l. A pinion C having a pin C7, a sleeve C2 carried by said pinion and having the linger C" adapted to be struck by said pin to cause said sleeve to turn with said pinion, the spring CS serving to hold said finger in contact with said pin, the dial Cl and button C5 on said sleeve, whereby the said dial will turn with said pinion and also be free to turn independently of the latter in one direction, all combined and arranged to serve with a votingmachine.

22. A pinion C and platform C: and dial C4 carried thereon, registering devices J J on said platform and having arms J J', the trap K on said dial, and the arm K4 and connections therefrom to said trap whereby the latter is tripped and means as the striking-plate F2 and its arms F5 for engaging the arms of said registering devices and trap when properly presented thereto, all combined and arranged to serve in a voting-machine.

23. In a voting-machine the combination of the shaft B, gear-wheel B thereon, and sleeve F and locking-bars G, with a series of pinions C each carrying a dial C'1 having the flange C and notches therein receiving said bars.

24C. In a voting-machine, the combination of the shaft B, gear-Wheel B/ thereon, and sleeve F and locking-bars G, with a series of pinions C each carrying a dial CL having the flange C and notches therein receiving said bars, the cap D connected to said sleeve, and the lever D/ mounted in said cap and adapted to lift said bars from said notches when required.

25. In a voting-machine, the combination of the shaft B, gear-wheel B thereon, and sleeve F and locking-bars G, with a series of pinions C/ each carrying a dial C'l having the iiange Cf and notches therein receiving said bars, the cap D connected to said sleeve, and the lever D' mounted in said cap and engaged with said shaft, adapted to lift said bars from said notches and also to turn said shaft when thus liberated.

26. In a voting-machine, the combination of the shaft B, gear-wheel B' thereon, the sleeve F and slip-joint FS therein, the striking-plate F2 and its arms F5 on one portion of said sleeve, and the locking-plate F' and its locking-bars Gon the other portion, means for raising and lowering said locking-plate, and independent means for raising and lowering said striking-plate.

27. In a voting-machine, the combination of a shaft B and gear-wheel B thereon, a series of pinions C meshing with said wheel and carrying each a dial, a pin B2 on said wheel, a swinging lever l? having the lug P', and a IOO shaft L having the offset L7 adapted to ren ceive said lng and permit said lever to swing idly in one direction by the turning of said gear-wheel and to contact with said lug to return said gear-Wheel and pinions to an inoperative or normal position.

28. In a voting-machine, the combination of a shaft B and gear-Wheel B thereon, the sleeve F and striking-plate F2 thereon having the arms F5, a series of pinions C meshing with said gear-wheel and carrying each a series of registering devices, and a shaft L having the crank L connected to said striking plate and adapted when turned to draw down said plate and actuate such of the registering devices as are presented to said arms.

29. In a voting-machine, the combination of a shaft B and gear-Wheel B thereon, the sleeve F and striking-plate F2 thereon having the arms Fi", a series of pinions C' meshing With said gear-wheel and carrying each a series of registering devices, a pin B2 set in said gear-Wheel, a swinging lever P having the lug P', and a transverse shaft L having the crank Lconnected to said striking-plate and having the offset LT adapted to cooperate with said lug, whereby the turning of said transverse shaft draws down the said strikingplate and aetuates such of said registering devices as are presented to said arms, and also serves through said swinging lever to return said gear-Wheel and its connections to an inoperative or normal position.

30. In a voting-machine, the combination of a shaft B and gear-Wheel B thereon, a series of pinions C' each carrying a dial CI having a flange C and notches c cl, the bedplate A, casing A and ring A2 having openings receiving said dials, the lip AS on said ring having notches d2, and the locking-plate F' and bars G thereon adapted to be received in said notches a2 and to engage in said notches c" cw in said dials.

3l. In a voting-machine, the shaft B, sleeve F and locking-plate F' having the lockingbars G, in combination with the bed-plate A, casing A', ring A2 and lip A3 on the latter having the notches c2 serving to receive said bars, the lian ge A on said ring and glass plate II supported thereon, the dial E separably secured to said lip, and a series of registering devices within said easing, all arranged to allow the removal of said dial and connected parts to permit said registering devices to be inspected through said glass plate.

32. A voting-machine having a casing A containing registering mechanism adapted to be set by a voter to indicate a choice of candidates, in combination with a booth inclosing such machine and comprising the upright R, rod S supported therein, hoop S on said rod, hanging rod S3 arranged to slide on said loop, the curtain S2 attached to said hoop and having a portion secured to said hanging rod, and a spring SL serving to draw the margins of said curtain together.

In testimony that I claim the invention above set forth I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

CHAS. F. I'IARRINGTON.

Vitnesses:

Roni?. CONNOR, CHARLES R. SEARLE. 

